By Edwin Fernandez and Noel Punzala/ PNA News
COTABATO CITY — Police authorities have formed a special investigation task group (SITG) to speed up the investigation of the pre-New Year bombing in front of a shopping mall here that left two persons dead and scores of others injured.
Chief Supt. Eliseo Tam Rasco, police director for Region 12 (Soccsksargen), said that SITG-South Seas, in coordination with the military and other security agencies, is looking at all possible angles and motives behind the Dec. 31 bombing in front of South Seas Mall.
“I admit the suspects slipped past our tight security,” Rasco told reporters here Tuesday.
The SITG South Seas is headed by Senior Supt. Oliver Enmodias, PRO-12 deputy regional director for operations.
A second improvised bomb was discovered at the baggage counter of South Seas Mall and was deactivated by Army and police bomb experts. It contained black powder, cut nails, metal ball bearing and chemical that produced a very foul odor.
Rasco said while the task group is looking at possible retaliatory attacks by Islamic State-linked group, it is also looking at possible “destabilization” by a third group opposed to the holding of a plebiscite for the Bangsamoro Organic Law later this month.
“We will explore all possible motives and the personalities behind it,” Rasco said.
Two were killed in the bomb attack. One was Jonathan Torribiano, a resident of North Upi, Maguindanao, and driver of Commissioner Melanio ULama of the Bangsamoro Transition Commission (BTC).
The BTC, which is under the Office of the President, is an agency created to facilitate the transition from the current autonomous region to the new Bangsamoro political entity, as a result of the government peace process in Mindanao.
Also killed was Mariam Kali, a mother from Barangay Poblacion 2. She had just finished taking lunch in one of the food centers inside the mall and was headed home when the blast occurred at 1:59 p.m.
Mayor Cynthia Guiani-Sayadi urged the public to remain calm, assuring them police and military authorities are on top of the situation.
Meanwhile, in a statement, Presidential Peace Adviser Carlito Galvez Jr. strongly condemned the bomb attack, describing it as a treacherous and a cowardly attack against humanity and the people of Cotabato City.
“In these trying times when our resolve to pursue just and enduring peace is being tested, I encourage everyone to practice sobriety and not be swayed to spread unfounded speculations relating to the incident,” Galvez said as he extended condolences to the families of the recent attack.
He described the incident as an “isolated case” and that security forces are on top of the situation.
“Let us not allow this incident to discourage us to unite and act as one in our collective aspiration to achieve just and enduring peace not just in Mindanao, but in the whole country,” he said.
